Temporal Semiotic Units (TSUs)
I. Invariant TSUs
1. Invariant TSUs by repetition
Waves
Morphological description: One phase unit, non time delimited, made up of the slow repetition of an increasing then decreasing sound motif. The shape of the profile can concern different morphological criteria (mass, dynamics, grain, etc.).
Semantic description: Each cycle conveys the feeling of being pushed forward and then driven back until the end. We get the impression that we are stagnating through this unit although we feel motion inside each cycle.
Spinning
Morphological description: One phase unit, non time delimited, in which a parameter (pitch, timbre) is driven by a quick cyclic repetition, along with a thrust in each cycle.
Semantic description: We have the feeling of an object spinning on itself or in space.
Obsessive
Morphological description: One phase unit, non time delimited, with a quick and possibly varied repetition of a pulsed element.
Semantic description: We feel constrained by a mechanical process on which we cannot seem to act.
2. Invariant TSUs by stagnation
Stationary
Morphological description: Non time delimited unit with a slow temporal evolution. It shows a global temporal regularity but random elements may appear on another level. Several morphological configurations can be found: scarcely changing temporal structure, random details in global permanency or slow cycles with little variety.
Semantic description: It seems to get nowhere: there is no progress even if there is always something happening.
Floating
Morphological description: Non time delimited unit with a slow temporal evolution. Irregular succession of disjointed and relatively brief temporal elements.
Semantic description: Despite the sound events that randomly appear, there is no feeling of expectation or suspense. The way the objects are distributed in time is perceived as a linear flow.
In suspension
Morphological description: Non time delimited unit made up of a repeated sequence, without significant variation, in a slow temporal progression. The sound matter and temporal events do not change much.
Semantic description: The balance of the operating forces conveys a feeling of stillness related to a sense of hesitant expectation. We know that something will happen, but we do not know when or what.
3. Invariants TSUs by chaotic effect
Divergent
Morphological description: Non time delimited unit characterized by a succession of brief temporal sequences without any relation to one another.
Semantic description: Lack of causality between successive temporal events. The great number of directions, without apparent connections, results in indecision.
Chaotic
Morphological description: Non time delimited unit characterized by a dense superimposition of temporal sequences without any relation to one another.
Semantic description: Lack of causality between superimposed temporal events. It causes an indescribable hubbub, a high saturation, a feeling of incommunicability and tension.
II. Variant TSUs
1. Variant TSUs with a uniform development
Moving forward
Morphological description: One phase unit, non time delimited, with a globally uniform and uninterrupted process in which a brief repeated sequence regularly renews the driving activity.
Semantic description: It seems to regularly push us forward. It gives us the impression that we are moving decisively in a precise direction.
Endless trajectory
Morphological description: One phase unit, non time delimited, with a linear and usually slow evolution of a sound parameter.
Semantic description: The process must be oriented in a direction (for example, upwards or downwards) and however, it seems to never finish. The sound phenomenon must be long enough to be perceived as a process and not an ephemeral event.
Heaviness
Morphological description: Non time delimited unit characterized by a brief sequence slowly and irregularly repeated.
Semantic description: Seems to have trouble progressing despite a driving energy.
2. Variant TSUs with a thwarted development
Fading away
Morphological description: Time delimited unit with a single phase. Progressive extinction of resonance type, without any complementary energy supply.
Semantic description: It is like the trajectory of a sailing boat with its sails down, which moves on, slowing down, thanks to momentum. Predictable process until its conclusion.
Braking
Morphological description: Time delimited unit with two phases: a process that has already started is suddenly opposed to another process with a decreasing energy.
Semantic description: It gives the impression of a forced slowdown. All movement is abruptly refrained until it stops.
Stretching
Morphological description: Time delimited unit with a single phase. Linear growth of a morphological trait, with increased energy, on a frozen temporal structure.
Semantic description: It seems to go forward to the maximum of a process (or an effort). Feeling of a stretching of sound involving two opposite forces.
Wanting to start
Morphological description: Non time delimited unit made up of the repetition of two phases. The first one is an articulate shape, relatively short. The second one is the opposite of the first (mass, dynamics, homogeneity). The reiteration of the two phases is not strict: there is at least the variation of one parameter.
Semantic description: It’s like something tries to start. Reiteration suggests a repeated effort to reach a goal.
3. Variant TSUs with a disrupted balance
Falling
Morphological description: Time delimited unit with two phases. The first phase is globally uniform while the second one is an accelerated change in pitch (upwards or downwards). The limit of this transition is sharp, not continuous.
Semantic description: A breaking unstable state of equilibrium. Suspension followed by pivoting (the suspension phase is realized after the fact).
Propulsion
Morphological description: Time delimited unit with three phases. The first phase is quite a sustained fulcrum: a prolonged and homogeneous sound or slow iteration, globally uniform. The following phase is a brief acceleration of intensity, pitch or any other morphological trait. The third phase is a typical resonance or silence.
Semantic description: We feel the application of a force to a steady state, resulting in an accelerated movement. Projection from a starting point.
Compressing-Stretching out
Morphological description: Time delimited unit with two contrasting phases. During the “compressing” phase, the sound matter is discontinuous and erratic. The “stretching out” phase is a globally uniform segment.
Semantic description: First, there is a feeling of compression (as if we strongly pressed on an obstacle), then the barrier is suddenly overcome, suppressing all resistance and releasing the power. It is a sudden change from localized energy to scattered energy.
Suspending-Questioning
Morphological description: Time delimited unit with two contrasting phases. The first phase is a brief and usually varied repeated temporal sequence. The second phase morphologically contrasts with the first one: a short sustained and rising sound or a silence.
Semantic description: An interrupted movement in a frozen position.